At the November 2007 election there will be two transportation measures on the same ballot. One requests funding for a Regional Transportation Investment District (RTID) list of road improvements. The second measure is for a Sound Transit (ST) list of projects. Edmonds Crossing, a proposal for a massive, new ferry terminal, is on both lists.
If approved RTID would receive $126 million, and ST $30 million, for the project. The new terminal is an extravagant proposal, but more disturbing than the great expense, is the lack of need for the project. The existing terminal is in good shape and can accommodate the level of vehicular traffic that the Ferry System (WSF) estimates will occur by 2030, the final year of its long-range plan. The main Street terminal was over-hauled in 1995. More than ten years later it still ranks high in the life-cycle rating, a measure of terminal preservation need. It doesnt need replacing.
The WSF has estimated that in the summer of 2030 the Edmonds/Kingston run must have enough ferries to carry 657 cars daily. Three Jumbo ferries, each carrying over 20 vehicles, meet that projected need and existing terminal can handle 3 Jumbos.
Sound Transit wants $30 million to contribute to the operation of commuter rail. Theoretically, commuters would arrive in Edmonds by bus, car, or ferry and take the train to work. There is a projected increase in Kitsap commuters, but the WSF will meet Seattle ferries. It also anticipates that a privately operated passenger-only ferry will eventually operate between Kingston and Seattle. An Edmonds/Seattle terminal for Kitsap commuters is unnecessary.
Sound Transit also requests money to extend light rail to Lynnwood. Presumably, that will collect South County commuters and take them south to work. Why then does ST want to fund another rail project, just three miles west, that does the same thing? The ST plan makes Edmonds Crossing doubly redundant; neither Kitsap nor South County commuters need it.
When a project is unneeded and expensive, it doesnt deserve voter approval. Vote no to both the RTID and ST request for transportation funding.
Sincerely,
Natalie Shippen
Edmonds